The Costly Mistake of Not Sticking to Your Trading Plan

The Hidden Damage of Breaking Your Own Trading Rules

Imagine this scenario…
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Your thesis indicates that the opening range breakout on the DAX is in play…and your plan is clear:
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📌 Enter long at 22,588
📌 Stop placed at 50% of the ORB
📌 Hold until the European close at 16:30 GMT
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​A textbook trade, right?

But then… that pesky chimp brain kicks in…

ENTER, THE CHIMP

👀 “Look how well the trade is doing!”
​👀 “It’s gone straight up… you should lock in profits!”
​👀 “This month’s been rough… 100pts is good enough, right?”
​👀 “Don’t wait for the close, this thing’s gonna reverse, look!”
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​The logic seems sound. So, against your better judgment, you close for a quick +100pts.
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Then boredom or FOMO sets in…
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👀 “This thing seems overdone, I’m going to take a short scalp, stop above the high”

1️⃣ You short for a ‘quick scalp’ (-41pts).
2️⃣ You short again (-92pts), moving your stop.
3️⃣ You add to the loser (-40pts)

​Final tally? -73pts.
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Had you just followed your plan and held it all day? +204pts.
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​Ouch.

THE REAL DAMAGE

It’s not just the missed profit, it’s the destructive cycle you’ve triggered.

❌ Deviating from your plan → Opens the door to revenge trading.

❌ Closing early → Leads to impulsive re-entries.

❌ Breaking discipline → Weakens your decision-making.

And just like that, a great trade turns into a mess.

We’ve all been there. But if you’re still doing this, make today the day you stop.

Because the difference between a +204pt trader and a -73pt trader?

💡One follows the plan. The other lets emotions take over.

Trade smart. Stick to the process.